Autonomous, zero touch provisioning of optical channels in optical line systems

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for enhancing techniques for provisioning optical channels to allow optical networks to operate in an optimal fashion. A method, according to one implementation, includes receiving measured optical performance parameters of a plurality of optical channels transmitted over an optical spectrum between two network elements in an optical line system; determining a performance profile of the optical spectrum based on the measured optical performance parameters; translating the performance profile into configuration information for the two network elements; and causing provisioning of the two network elements based on the configuration information. The measured optical performance parameters are for one or more unassigned optical channels on the optical spectrum, with the measured optical performance parameters being made on one or more optical modems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/224,173, filed Apr. 7, 2021, the contents of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to optical networking. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods forautonomous commissioning or provisioning of optical channels inpreviously unassigned channels in optical line systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As described herein and known in the art, an optical network includesone or more transmitters which transmit optical channels over an opticalfiber and are received at one or more receivers. This enables datatransmission over a distance, and there can be various intermediatecomponents in the optical network, which can be referred to as anoptical line system, including, e.g., optical amplifiers, VariableOptical Attenuators (VOAs), gain flattening filters,multiplexers/demultiplexers, etc. There is visibility of the opticalchannels at various points along the optical fiber in a typicalintegrated solution, e.g., via Optical Channel Monitors (OCMs), powermonitors, etc. There are various examples where an optical network isnot an integrated solution, e.g., transmitters and receivers areconnected into the optical line system which is separate. Here, thetransmitters and receivers are connected to a “black box” system whereall visible channels are the transmitted channels at the transmittersand the received channels at the receivers. Examples of such systemsinclude submarine systems (where the submarine optical line system isfrom one vendor and the optical transceivers or modems are from anothervendor), disaggregated optical systems, e.g., in terrestrial deploymentswhere similarly the optical line system is from a different vendor asthe optical transceivers or modems, e.g., “alien wavelengths,” and thelike. As described herein, the terms “foreign optical line system” or“foreign line system” are used to denote a situation where the terminals(transmitters/receivers) are separate from the optical line system, andsuch term is meant to include submarine systems, disaggregated opticalsystems, or any other “black box” configuration.

A disadvantage of such systems is knowledge of intermediate systemparameters for the optical line system is unknown or inaccessible totraffic carrying channels. Intermediate system parameters can includebut are not limited to channel powers, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR),Noise-to-Signal Ratio (NSR), Optical SNR (OSNR), frequency-dependentpowers, gains, losses, and noise figures, etc. at any point within thesystem other than at the transmit and receive ends.

In addition to lacking knowledge of intermediate system parameters,there can be a lack of data communication between two terminals or nodesat ends of a foreign optical line system. Such limitation causesdifficulty in turn-up or commissioning of an optical network. In atypical optical network, service channels such as Optical ServiceChannels (OSCs), are used extensively to relay information between nodesthrough in-band or out-of-band communication channels. The photonicscontrol and Layer 0 Control Plane messaging relayed via service channelsare paramount in minimizing operational complexity during the turn-up orcommissioning of an optical network. However, many multi-spanpoint-to-point and mesh networks operate in the absence of a servicechannel, i.e., foreign optical line systems. Optical performanceparameters typically relayed via service channels are not readilyavailable in a foreign line system, consequently requiring the system tobe manually characterized prior to commissioning. Turn-up andcommissioning of these systems can take multiple weeks due to theintensive manual characterization process associated with the terminalequipment. Translation of manually gathered data to Layer 0 ControlPlane (LOCP) adds further complexity to channel planning, andprovisioning of Tx Adjacencies (TX ADJ), Sub-Network Connections (SNC),SNC Groups (SNCG), etc. by a user or multiple users on each individualnode.

Current approaches to turn-up and commissioning, such as Zero TouchProvisioning (ZTP) and various automated optical control schemes,require communications between data elements and more importantlychannels to be pre-provisioned with a pre-known setting. This is notavailable in foreign line systems. These settings are static anddetermined during the planning phase of any line system turn-up. Theyrely on network planning tools and monitoring points within a linesystem to create and/or optimize the system.

Automation tools for submarine or foreign line systems have beendeveloped to simplify turn-up. However, these tools are highly limitedat determining transmission modes and channel layouts/configurations anddo not provide the full set of parameters required for systemcommissioning. This drives a need for characterization, optimization,and validation with real modems deployed with specialized portableterminal equipment to help derive the baseline performance. Often, thisactivity takes place at an early stage of build out and basiccommunications between NEs are unavailable, which presents challengesfor LOOP and Photonics control.

This activity is not only resource intensive but is typically abeginning of deployment activity that is not routinely re-visited due tocost, downtime, and logistics. Ideally, this would be revisited withintroduction of new modem technologies or if a new baseline is requireddue to suspected network changes. Therefore, there is a need to overcomethe above-noted issues in conventional turn-up or commissioningstrategies for enabling automatic provisioning or commissioning ofpreviously-unassigned channels in an optical spectrum in order to allowdata communication between a near-end network element and othercomponents connected to the unknown optical link system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for autonomousprovisioning of optical channels in submarine or foreign optical linesystems. A near-end network element, according to one implementation,includes a plurality of modems arranged within a group or multiplegroups. The modems are configured to communicate optical signals withinan optical spectrum across an unknown optical link system to becommissioned and are configured to transmit the optical signals to anunknown far-end network element. The near-end network element furtherincludes a processing device and a memory device configured to storecomputer logic having instructions that, when executed, enable theprocessing device to utilize the plurality of modems to measure opticalperformance parameters of a plurality of optical channels of the opticalspectrum. Each optical channel is previously unassigned in the unknownoptical link system. The instructions further enable the processingdevice to provision the plurality of optical channels based on themeasured optical performance parameters to enable data communicationbetween the near-end network element and the far-end network element. Itshould be noted that, before commissioning, the unknown optical linksystem does not allow data communication between the near-end networkelement and the far-end network element.

In some implementations, the above-described near-end network element(and related systems and methods) may be further configured, whereby theinstructions enable the processing device to measure the opticalperformance parameters by measuring Effective Signal-to-Noise Ratio(ESNR) parameters versus frequency. Note, while described herein usingESNR, it is possible to leverage other parameters such as OpticalSignal-to-Noise Ration (OSNR) and the like. The ESNR parameters may bemeasured when the optical signals are transmitted from the near-endnetwork element to the far-end network element. The ESNR parameters maybe measured in a spectral sweep characterization operation where ESNR ismeasured for each of a plurality of groups of optical channels in asequential frequency-dependent manner. For example, the number ofoptical channels in each group may be based on the number of modems ineach group. According to various implementations, the near-end networkelement may further include a User Interface (UI) configured to enable auser to enter characterization settings, wherein the ESNR may bemeasured for each group based on the characterization settings. Thecharacterization settings, for example, may include one or more of askip factor for defining a number of optical channels to skip, a readingnumber defining the number of simultaneous ESNR readings with respect tothe frequencies in the optical spectrum, a provisioning order fordefining a direction with respect to frequencies of the optical spectrumthat each simultaneous ESNR reading proceeds, and a starting positiondefining a position within the optical spectrum where each of the numberof simultaneous ESNR reading starts. In addition (or alternatively), theoptical performance parameters may include coherent optical performanceparameters, such as measurements of Transmitter (Tx) power versusfrequency and/or measurements of flat channel launch powers.

According to additional implementations, the User Interface (UI) mayfurther be configured to enable a user to enter initialization settings,wherein the initialization settings may include one or more of acommunication boundary at an edge of the optical spectrum, a channelcount, an initial line rate or Baud rate, a probe line rate, a base linerate, and an upshift line rate, and wherein the UI is implemented withinone or more of a Layer 0 Control Plane (LOOP), a server, a NetworkManagement System (NMS), a Domain Optical Controller (DOC), a nodemanagement system, a software-defined network controller, and a networkorchestrator. Also, the unknown optical link system may include one ormore intermediate optical devices and/or branching units. Theinstructions may further enable the processing device to perform anoptimization process of changing an initial line rate based on adifference between the optical performance parameters measured at givenline rates, wherein the optimization process may be based on anEffective Signal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) threshold set by a user.

The unknown optical link system, according to some implementations, maybe a submarine fiber system or some other foreign line system configuredin a point-to-point network before Optical Service Channels (OSCs) areassigned for data communication between the near-end network element andthe far-end network element and before configuration information andspectrum usage information is coordinated between the near-end networkelement and the far-end network element. The near-end network elementand far-end network element may be configured as or include SubmarineLine Termination Equipment (SLTE). Each of the plurality of modems mayinitially be configured with a default provisioning state and theoptical spectrum may initially be pre-loaded with Amplified SpontaneousEmission (ASE) channel holders.

In response to provisioning the plurality of optical channels, theinstructions may further enable the processing device to commission thenear-end network element and far-end network element. Also, theinstructions may further enable the processing device to utilize theoptical performance parameters to execute one or more actions includingpopulating one or more provisioning templates, creating a photonictopology, formulating topology parameters, configuring a control planesystem in the unknown optical link system, building a channel profile,performing a channel planning procedure to maximize system capacity,defining optimization criteria, re-optimizing a channel plan after acable fault or repair, and performing spectral filtering, dead-bandconditioning, and guard-band conditioning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein withreference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers areused to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optical system, accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an unknown optical link systemconnecting two nodes of an optical system, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a submarine optical link system,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system forprovisioning optical channels in an unknown optical link system,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a Point-to-Point (P2P) systemwith an optical passthrough, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a P2P system showing Sub-NetworkConnection Groups (SNCGs), according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a User Interface (UI) showing measuredparameters of a P2P system, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state machine for provisioningoptical channels in a P2P system with an unknown optical link system,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a graph of unassigned channels to beprovisioned (or commissioned) in an unknown optical link system with ablue edge communication channel initialized, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a UI showing configurable settings forperforming a spectrum sweep of the unassigned channels in the unknownoptical link system, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11E are graphs showing a plurality of unassigned channels inan unknown optical link system and a process of measuring EffectiveSignal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) of the unassigned channels utilizing threemodems in each SNCG in a provisioning order from a blue edge to a rededge, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the plurality of unassigned channels and aprocess of measuring ESNR utilizing three modems in each SNCG andskipping channels, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 13A-13D are graphs showing the plurality of unassigned channelsand a process of measuring ESNR utilizing four modems in each SNCG,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are graphs showing unassigned channels at an end (rededge) of the spectrum being provisioned where the ESNR measurements ofthe last provisioning SNCGs are reduced, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing unassigned channels being provisioned and aprocess of measuring ESNR utilizing four modems in each SNCG and usingboth a blue-to-red provisioning order and a red-to-blue provisioningorder, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing unassigned channels being provisioned and aprocess of measuring ESNR utilizing four modems in each SNCG and usingmultiple provisioning starting points, for concurrent sweeping differentspectrum portions, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17A is a table illustrating the responsibilities of each shelf of amulti-shelf instantiation for commissioning unassigned channels of anunknown optical link system, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 17B is a table illustrating the responsibilities of a shelf of asingle-shelf instantiation for commissioning unassigned channels,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of acharacterization module for commissioning unassigned channels, accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of anoptimization module for commissioning unassigned channels, according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of apost-characterization (verification) module for commissioning unassignedchannels, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of aprocess for retrieving network data for commissioning unassignedchannels, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions ofprocesses for characterizing a class and for classifying spectrum sweepconfigurations, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating interactions between a frontend and abackend for commissioning unassigned channels, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a chart showing ESNR measurements as a function ofTransmitter (Tx) power and frequency for optimization, according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a graph showing ESNR measurements utilizing possible linerates, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a graph of unassigned channels using a35 GBaud line rate for the full spectrum and a flat ESNR reading,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a graph of unassigned channels using a56 GBaud line rate for a middle portion of the spectrum and a flat ESNRreading, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a process for utilizing the graph ofFIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using a full spectrumtechnique, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a process for utilizing the graph ofFIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using a lite technique,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a process for utilizing the graph ofFIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using an intermediatetechnique, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a process for utilizing the graph ofFIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using a final technique,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a chart of ESNR measurements acrosspossible line rates, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing ideally provisioned in a situation where there is consistent inboth the near-to-far direction and the far-to-near direction, accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing provisioned in a situation where there is inconsistency in thenear-to-far direction and far-to-near direction, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing provisioned and a re-characterization process of measuring ESNR ofthe unassigned channels utilizing three modems in each SNCG in aprovisioning order from the blue edge to the red edge, according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 is a screen shot of a UI showing graphs of detection processesfor measuring ESNR vs frequency and measuring Tx power vs frequency,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is a screen shot of a UI showing graphs of detection processesfor measuring ESNR vs frequency and measuring Tx power vs frequency,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is a screen shot of a UI showing graphs of an ESNR time-seriesand a Tx power time-series, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a screen shot of a UI showing graphs of Optimal PerformanceMonitors (OPMs) for detecting traces at a Transmitter (Tx) and aReceiver (Rx) of power vs frequency, according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 40A-40C are diagrams illustrating pie charts that show differentruntime distributions based on an amount of verification performed inprocesses for provisioning or commissioning unassigned channels,according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41A is a diagram illustrating a graph showing a number of SNCGsneeded for different numbers of modems utilized in each SNCG, accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41B is a diagram illustrating a graph showing total run times basedon the number of modems utilized in each SNCG, according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for autonomousprovisioning of optical channels in submarine or foreign optical linesystems. The present disclosure relates to systems and methods ofprovisioning two nodes on a fiber link (i.e., an initially unknown orun-commissioned fiber link) where there is no data communication betweenthe nodes. However, as described in the present disclosure, althoughthere is no “data” communication of Optical Service Channels (OSCs) orother service channels and no communication of configuration informationor other types of bandwidth coordination between end-points. Forexample, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be used forcommissioning or provisioning channels in a previously-unassignedsystem. The embodiments described herein may therefore be beneficial inan environment where an optical line system is unknown (or in theprocess of being developed), such as a submarine optical fiber system ora foreign line system.

Of course, it is typically difficult in this situation since the twosides cannot coordinate configuration, spectrum usage, etc. Conventionalapproaches can normally take weeks to commission or provision such as anoptical link system and the processes are manually intensive. In oneexample, an end-to-end submarine system may include a node site on oneend in the United States and another node site in the United Kingdom.When the submarine system is initially installed or deployed (or inother events when discovery may be needed), the end nodes are unable todirectly communicate with each other, because the channels have yet tobe provisioned in an agreed-upon manner. Thus, installers at each of thetwo end node sites must resort to manually entering data, which can betime-consuming and labor intensive.

There may be different ways to characterize a foreign line system. Forexample, some implementations may include getting intermediate systemparameters, e.g., ESNR, OSNR, etc. This technique may includetransmitting across the spectrum and measuring the other side todetermine the intermediate system parameters. An example of systemmeasurement and optimization of foreign line systems is described incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/134,840, filedDec. 28, 2020, and entitled “Power optimization of point-to-pointoptical systems without visibility of intermediate system parameters,”the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

However, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the systemsand methods may include automatically provisioning one or more channelsover a foreign line system. This process may include the actions at oneend node (e.g., network element) since the other end node may be anunknown device operating in a different jurisdiction (or country).

Optical System

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of an example optical system 10. Forillustration purposes, the example optical system 10 is shown with asingle direction from a first node 12 to a second node 14. The exampleoptical system 10 generally includes, from a topology perspective, thenodes 12, 14, an intermediate system 16, and an optical fiber 18interconnecting the nodes 12, 14. Of course, a practical embodiment willinclude the opposite direction, but the techniques described hereinfocus on a single direction of propagation through optical fiber 18. Theintermediate system 16 can include one or more intermediate opticalamplifiers 20.

The nodes 12, 14 are terminals and can include optical multiplexers 22,demultiplexers 24, and transceivers/transponders/modems 26. Theobjective of the optical system 10 is to transmit data from the node 12,via the modems 26, to the node 14. In an embodiment, the optical system10 is a foreign line system where the nodes 12, 14 have no knowledge orvisibility of intermediate system parameters at various points along theintermediate system 16. In another embodiment, the optical system 10 isa submarine system where the nodes 12, 14 are terminal stations and theintermediate system 16 is a wet plant, each being from differentvendors. A controller 30 can communicate with the nodes 12, 14, forobtaining data related to operation of the modems 26, such as settingthe power at the transmit side at the node 12 and obtaining receivedpower and other performance metrics, e.g. bit-error-ratio,signal-to-noise ratio, etc. at the receive side at the node 14.

The optical system 10 can also be referred to as a section or an OpticalMultiplex Section (OMS). The present disclosure contemplates operationon the fiber 18 in a section, i.e., a point-to-point system, i.e., allchannels transmitted at the ingress are received at the egress.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an opticalsystem 40 connecting at least two nodes (i.e., Node A and Node B). Inthis example, the optical system 40 includes a black-box optical linksystem 42, which is viewed as an unknown optical link system havingfiber optic cables, amplifiers, Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADMs),branching units, etc. One of the goals of the provisioning (orcommissioning) procedures of the present disclosure includes determiningfeatures of the black-box optical link system 42 in order to optimize ormaximize operational parameters of the optical system 40. For example,as described in the present disclosure, the actions of “maximizing,”“optimizing,” etc. should be understood as an attempt to produce agenerally optimal operating condition or at least to improve variousoperating parameters to allow an optical system (e.g., optical system40) to function in a reasonably efficient manner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a submarine opticallink system 50. In this embodiment, the submarine optical link system 50include a first Submarine Line Termination Equipment (SLTE) device 52 atone end and a second SLTE device 54 at the other end. The first andsecond SLTE devices 52, 54 may be configured to communicate with eachother via a submarine fiber cable 56 that is installed under the sea 58.In one example, the first SLTE device 52 may be arranged in one country(e.g., the US) and the second SLTE device 54 may be arranged in anothercountry (e.g., the UK). The first and second SLTE devices 52, 54 may beconfigured as a first end node and a second end node, respectively,whereby the submarine fiber cable 56 may include one or more opticalamplifiers, branching units, etc.

Generic Computing System

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a computersystem 60 for provisioning (or commissioning) optical channels in anunknown optical link system. The computer system 60 may be configured asa Layer 0 Control Plane (LOOP) device or other control device forsupervisory, management, and/or control purposes in a network. Thecomputer system 60 may be associated with one end node (e.g., node 12shown in FIG. 1 , Node A shown in FIG. 2 , the first SLTE device 52shown in FIG. 3 , etc.) located as “near-end” of the optical system. Inthis sense, the “near-end” may designate either of the two ends of theoptical systems and is configured to perform various actions, asdescribed in the present disclosure, for commissioning, provisioning,turning-up, etc. the unknown (or un-commissioned) optical link systemconnecting the near-end node with the far-end node. Of course, in theseembodiments, the “far-end” node refers to the other (perhaps unknown)node at the other end of the optical system. The computer system 60 maybe implemented within one or more of a Layer 0 Control Plane (LOOP), aserver, a Network Management System (NMS), a Domain Optical Controller(DOC), a node management system, a software-defined network controller,and a network orchestrator.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the computer system 30 may be a digitalcomputer that, in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes aprocessing device 62, a memory device 64, input/output (I/O) interfaces66, a network interface 68, and a database 70. It should be appreciatedby those of ordinary skill in the art that FIG. 4 depicts the computersystem 30 in an oversimplified manner, and a practical embodiment mayinclude additional components and suitably configured processing logicto support known or conventional operating features that are notdescribed in detail herein. The components (62, 64, 66, 68, and 70) arecommunicatively coupled via a local interface 72. The local interface 72may be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or otherwired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The localinterface 72 may have additional elements, which are omitted forsimplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters,and receivers, among many others, to enable communications. Further, thelocal interface 72 may include address, control, and/or data connectionsto enable appropriate communications among the aforementionedcomponents.

The processing device 62 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processing device 62 may be any custom made orcommercially available processor, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), anauxiliary processor among several processors associated with thecontroller 30, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of amicrochip or chipset), or generally any device for executing softwareinstructions. When the computer system 60 is in operation, theprocessing device 62 is configured to execute software stored within thememory device 64, to communicate data to and from the memory device 64,and to generally control operations of the computer system 60 pursuantto the software instructions. The I/O interfaces 66 may be used toreceive user input from and/or for providing system output to one ormore devices or components.

The network interface 68 may be used to enable the computer system 60 tocommunicate on a network 76, such as the Internet. The network interface68 may include, for example, an Ethernet card or adapter or a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) card or adapter. The network interface 68 mayinclude address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriatecommunications on the network. A database 70 may be used to store data.The database 70 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g.,random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and the like)),nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, and thelike), and combinations thereof.

Moreover, the database 70 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical,and/or other types of storage media. In one example, the database 70 maybe located internal to the computer system 60, such as, for example, aninternal hard drive connected to the local interface 72 in the computersystem 60. Additionally, in another embodiment, the database 70 may belocated external to the computer system 60 such as, for example, anexternal hard drive connected to the I/O interfaces 66 (e.g., SCSI orUSB connection or Ethernet). In a further embodiment, the database 70may be connected to the controller 30 through a network, such as, forexample, a network-attached file server.

The memory device 64 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g.,random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)),nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.),and combinations thereof. Moreover, the memory device 64 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Notethat the memory device 64 may have a distributed architecture, wherevarious components are situated remotely from one another but can beaccessed by the processing device 62. The software in memory device 64may include one or more software programs, each of which includes anordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logicalfunctions. The software in the memory device 64 includes a suitableOperating System (O/S) and one or more programs, such as an opticalchannel commissioning program 74. The 0/S essentially controls theexecution of other computer programs, such as the optical channelcommissioning program 74, and provides scheduling, input-output control,file and data management, memory management, and communication controland related services. The one or more programs may be configured toimplement the various processes, algorithms, methods, techniques, etc.described herein.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments described herein mayinclude or utilize one or more generic or specialized processors (“oneor more processors”) such as microprocessors; Central Processing Units(CPUs); Digital Signal Processors (DSPs): customized processors such asNetwork Processors (NPs) or Network Processing Units (NPUs), GraphicsProcessing Units (GPUs), or the like; Field-Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs); and the like along with unique stored program instructions(including both software and firmware) for control thereof to implement,in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or allof the functions of the methods and/or systems described herein.Alternatively, some or all functions may be implemented by a statemachine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or moreApplication-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), in which each functionor some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented ascustom logic or circuitry. Of course, a combination of theaforementioned approaches may be used. For some of the embodimentsdescribed herein, a corresponding device in hardware and optionally withsoftware, firmware, and a combination thereof can be referred to as“circuitry configured to,” “logic configured to,” etc. perform a set ofoperations, steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions,techniques, etc. on digital and/or analog signals as described hereinfor the various embodiments.

Moreover, some embodiments may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon forprogramming a computer, server, appliance, device, one or moreprocessors, circuit, etc. to perform functions as described and claimedherein. Examples of such non-transitory computer-readable mediuminclude, but are not limited to, a hard disk, an optical storage device,a magnetic storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM(PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), Flashmemory, and the like. When stored in the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, software can include instructions executableby one or more processors (e.g., any type of programmable circuitry orlogic) that, in response to such execution, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform a set of operations, steps, methods, processes,algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. as described herein for thevarious embodiments.

According to some embodiments, the computer system 60 may be associatedwith a near-end network element or may be incorporated within a near-endnetwork element (e.g., node 12, Node A, SLTE 52, or other domestic endnode) for performing actions with respect to the commissioning one ormore optical channels in an unknown optical link system. For example,the near-end network element may include or may be associated with aplurality of modems arranged within a Sub-Network Connection Group(SNCG). The plurality of modems may be configured to communicate opticalsignals within an optical spectrum across an unknown optical link system(e.g., intermediate system 16, black-box optical link system 42,submarine fiber cable 56, etc.) to be commissioned. The plurality ofmodems may be configured to transmit the optical signals to an unknownfar-end network element (e.g., node 14, Node B, SLTE 54, or otherforeign end node). The memory device 64 may be configured to storecomputer logic (e.g., optical channel commissioning program 74) havinginstructions that, when executed, enable the processing device 62 toutilize the plurality of modems to measure optical performanceparameters of a plurality of optical channels of the optical spectrum.Each optical channel may be previously unassigned in the unknown opticallink system. The optical channel commissioning program 74 may furtherenable the processing device 62 to provision the plurality of opticalchannels based on the measured optical performance parameters to enabledata communication between the near-end network element and the far-endnetwork element. It should be noted that, before commissioning, theunknown optical link system does not allow data communication betweenthe near-end network element and the far-end network element.

More particularly, the optical channel commissioning program 74 mayfurther enable the processing device to measure the optical performanceparameters by measuring Effective Signal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR)parameters versus frequency, as described in more detail below. The ESNRparameters may be measured when the optical signals are transmitted fromthe near-end network element to the far-end network element. The ESNRparameters may be measured in a spectrum sweep characterizationoperation, whereby ESNR is measured for each of a plurality of groups ofoptical channels in a sequential frequency-dependent manner. Note, theterms “tool,” “spectrum optimization,” and “spectrum sweep” are usedinterchangeably herein. The number of optical channels in each group maybe based on the number of modems in each SNCG.

The I/O interfaces 66 may include a User Interface (UI) or GraphicalUser Interface (GUI) that may allow a user (e.g., network operator orother network management/control person) to enter various settings. Forexample, the user may enter data regarding the identity of the near-endnode and, in some embodiments, the identity of the far-end node. Also,the user may enter (e.g., via the UI or GUI) Initialization settings,Characterization settings, Optimization settings, Plan settings,Provision settings, and/or Verification settings. These settings areused to defined aspects of the optical spectrum to be commissioned, thenumber of channels that the optical spectrum is to include, an initialline rate (e.g., Baud rate) for characterization, a skip factor (asdescribed below), among other features.

For example, the UI may enable a user to enter characterizationsettings, wherein the ESNR is measured for each group based on thecharacterization settings. The characterization settings include one ormore of a skip factor for defining a number of optical channels to skip,a reading number defining the number of simultaneous ESNR readings withrespect to the frequencies in the optical spectrum, a provisioning orderfor defining a direction with respect to frequencies of the opticalspectrum that each simultaneous ESNR reading proceeds, and a startingposition defining a position within the optical spectrum where each ofthe number of simultaneous ESNR reading starts.

In addition to measuring ESNR of the channels, the computer system 60(e.g., near-end network element) may be configured to measure othertypes of optical performance parameters, such as coherent opticalperformance parameters, measurements of Transmitter (Tx) power versusfrequency, measurements of flat launch channel power, or otherparameters. The computer system 60 may further utilize the opticalchannel commissioning program 74 in a near-end network element such thatthe UI may enable a user to enter Initialization settings. For example,the Initialization settings may include one or more of a communicationboundary at an edge of the optical spectrum, a channel count, an initialline rate or Baud rate, a probe line rate, a base line rate, and anupshift line rate (moving to a faster rate). Probe line rate is the linerate which is used to evaluate ESNR, i.e., ESNR is measured at that linerate. In FIG. 32 , one can see that while ESNR should be an absolutemeasure, it is not stable for the same channel across different linerates as apparently when there is too much margin (i.e., current linerate ESNR cutoff is too far from the actual ESNR), this result in someinstability in ESNR measured. Therefore, Probe line rates should be highenough to minimalize this margin while not too high to avoid causingchannel fail to optimize. Probe line rate should be ideally stableacross entire spectrum but doesn't have to be. However, baseline must bestable across the entire spectrum and viable anywhere. Upshift line rateis essentially just one higher line rate from baseline. The unknownoptical link system may include one or more intermediate optical devicesor branching units. The instructions of the optical channelcommissioning program 74 may further enable the processing device 62 toperform an optimization process of changing an initial line rate basedon a difference between the optical performance parameters measured atdifferent line rates, as described in more detail below. Theoptimization process may be based on an ESNR threshold set by a user.

The unknown optical link system described herein may be a submarinefiber system, a foreign line system, or other unknown photonictransmission system. The unknown optical link system may be part of apoint-to-point network, which, at the time of the start of thecommissioning of the system, may have unassigned features. This may be atime before Optical Service Channels (OSCs) are assigned for datacommunication between the near-end network element and the far-endnetwork element and/or before configuration information and spectrumusage information is coordinated between the near-end network elementand the far-end network element. Again, the near-end network element andfar-end network element may include Submarine Line Termination Equipment(SLTE).

The near-end network element running the optical channel commissioningprogram 74 may be configured where each of the plurality of modems mayinitially be configured with a default provisioning state and theoptical spectrum may initially be pre-loaded with Amplified SpontaneousEmission (ASE) channel holders. In response to provisioning theplurality of optical channels, the instructions of the optical channelcommissioning program 74 may further enable the processing device 62 tocommission the near-end network element and far-end network element. Theinstructions may also enable the processing device 62 to utilize theoptical performance parameters to execute certain actions, such as: a)populating one or more provisioning templates, b) creating a photonictopology, c) formulating topology parameters, d) configuring a controlplane system in the unknown optical link system, e) budding a channelprofile, f) performing a channel planning procedure to maximize systemcapacity, g) defining optimization criteria, h) re-optimizing a channelplan after a cable fault or repair, and i) performing spectralfiltering, dead-band conditioning, and guard-band conditioning.

The present disclosure describes a platform with the objective ofcommissioning a point-to-point LOOP network by formulating topologyparameters and provisioning information based on the measured linesystem parameters. The term “point-to-point” may refer to variouscomponents of an optical system or network (e.g., intermediate OpticalAdd/Drop Multiplexer (OADMs), branching units, etc.), as long as thereis an optical path between the two endpoints (near end and far end).Although an optical path exists, at a time when the system or network isfirst installed but not yet put into operation, the system or networkdoes not allow data communication between the end points since thephotonic channels would not yet be provisioned for data communication.

In a submarine or foreign line system, the baseline configuration forany Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) pre-loads the network witha full-band of ASE. Transmission of a single channel or a group ofchannels may then be loaded in order to screen the spectral performanceof the network and collect relevant network parameters. Based on theseresults, the optical channel commissioning program 74 may allow for theplanning and building of a channel profile based on the availabledegrees of freedom (e.g., Baud rates, power, line optimization modes,dispersion, etc.) in the modems. In the present disclosure, theestablished channel profile may also contain LOOP configurationparameters to satisfy Day 1 operational requirements as well as Day Noperational requirements. The channel profile may be built in a way thatis capacity-optimized, cost-optimized, or optimized in other ways.Again, the terms “optimization,” “optimal,” “maximization,” “maximum,”etc. may actually be considered to be improvements to, better operating,or even best-available network conditions for sufficient efficiency fornormal network operation and not necessarily the very best conditionthat may ultimately be conceived.

Also, the channel profile may be configured to accommodate staggeredtimelines of each customer's network. The staggered timelines may referto a situation where the user or operator can select goals (e.g.,margin-optimized, capacity-optimized, client mapping, etc.) and theanalysis can take this into account for future modems. It should benoted that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be configuredto complement Amplified Simultaneous Emission (ASE) channel holdertechniques. Any configuration performed on Day 1 can be scaled to Day Nas the ASE can be replaced, as needed, with actual operating channels.

The optical channel commissioning program 74 (as well as other systemsand methods described in the present disclosure) may be configured toevaluate an optimal network configuration for use in any higher-levelcontroller (e.g., node managers, software-defined controllers,orchestrators, etc.). These methods may, in turn, be used to populateZero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) files, or the like, as well as other typesof servers on internal Dynamic Circuit Networks (DCNs) for explicit usein provisioning and configuration. The embodiments may be directed to anevaluation technique for the characterization of channel and may also beused as an optimization approach.

The embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosure mayapply to networks without Optical Service Channel (OSC) capabilities,including submarine systems and foreign line systems. The embodiments ofthe present disclosure treat the optical line system as a black box andenables provisioning of near and far end modems without datacommunications between them (i.e., no OSC or site-to-site communication)and without a priori knowledge of the optical performance on the opticalline system.

Spectrum Sweep Using Wavelength Analysis of Optical Spectrum

A spectrum sweep may be run to characterize performance of an opticallink and to allow entry of modem settings, power profiles, etc. Thespectrum sweep may be an automated process that characterizes near-endnode (e.g., modem) performance across the entire optical spectrum anddetermines and configures modem parameter settings to maximize systemcapacity.

The spectrum sweep, according to various embodiments, may include:

-   -   1. Measuring Effective Signal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) at each        channel frequency at a flat launch power.    -   2. Sweep channel power at a subset of frequencies.    -   3. Configure system-level optimal launch power based on the        results from (1) and (2).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of aPoint-to-Point (P2P) system 80 with an optical passthrough according toa minimum deployment arrangement. A near-end modem 82 (e.g., connectedto Submarine Line Termination Equipment (SLTE), etc.) is configured tobe provisioned with a far-end modem 84 (e.g., SLTE, etc.) where thenear-end modem 82 and far-end modem 84 are arranged to communicate witheach other over an unknown optical link system 86. In this embodiment,the unknown optical link system 86 may include an intermediate OADM 88(e.g., optical passthrough). Also, the unknown optical link system 86includes a first fiber 90 configured for communication in a firstdirection from the near-end modem 82 to the far-end modem 84 and asecond fiber 92 configured for communication in a second (opposite)direction from the far-end modem 84 to the near-end modem 82 for normalbi-directional communication. It should be noted that additional fibersmay be arranged for communication between the near-end modem 82 andfar-end modem 84 along additional or alternative paths.

In another embodiment, the optical passthrough may include multipleshelves in each of the modems 82, 84. For example, the modems 82, 84 andthe SLTE may be configured for Service and Photonic LayerInteroperability (SPLI).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a P2P system 100showing Sub-Network Connection Groups (SNCGs) 102A, 102B of a near-endnode 104 and SNCGs 106A, 106B of a far-end node 108. Each of the SNCGs102A, 102B, 106A, 106B may include one or more wave selector devices110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, and/or portions thereof. In someembodiments, a wave selection device (e.g., the wave selector device1108 of the near-end node 104 and the wave selector device 110E of thefar-end node 108) may be arranged in two different SNCGs. Each waveselector device 110 may include one or more modems, such that, accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , SNCG 102A of the near-end node 104includes three modems (e.g., Modem 1 and Modem 2 of wave selector device110A and Modem 3 of wave selector device 110B). Also, SNCG 1028 of thenear-end node 104 includes three modems (e.g., Modem 1 of wave selectordevice 1108 and Modem 2 and Modem 3 of wave selector device 110 c). TheSNCG 106A of the far-end node 108 includes three modems (e.g., Modem 1and Modem 2 of wave selector device 110D and Modem 3 of wave selectordevice 110E). Also, SNCG 106B of the far-end node 108 includes threemodems (e.g., Modem 1 of wave selector device 110E and Modem 2 and Modem3 of wave selector device 110F).

Furthermore, near-end node 104 of the P2P system 100 includes aMultiplexer/Demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) 112A in the SNCG 102A and aMUX/DEMUX 1128 in the SNCG 1028. The MUX/DEMUX 112A is configured tohandle test traffic through the modems in the SNCG 102A and MUX/DEMUX112B is configured to handle test traffic through the modems in the SNCG102B. Also, the far-end node 108 of the P2P system 100 includes aMUX/DEMUX 114A in the SNCG 106A and a MUX/DEMUX 114B in the SNCG 106B.The MUX/DEMUX 114A is configured to handle test traffic through themodems in the SNCG 106A and MUX/DEMUX 114B is configured to handle testtraffic through the modems in the SNCG 106B. According to thisembodiment, it is possible to utilize one or more modems in each node104, 108 to enable quicker provisioning of channels, as described inmore detail below.

Example of Channel-Provisioning User Interface

FIG. 7 is a screen shot showing an embodiment of a User Interface (UI)120. In this example, the UI 120 shows measured parameters of a P2Psystem that are obtained during a provisioning procedure and commands122 that are available to a user. For example, the commands 122available via the UI 120 include main functions related to Settings,Initialize, Characterize, Optimize, Provision, and Verify. Also, thecommands 122 include a Reset function, Saving characterization,optimization, and post-optimization parameters in a network managementdevice. The UI 120 also includes the commands 122 of Latest Status, SaveLogs, Test Debug, and Test Debug 1.

The UI 120, in this example, includes a Timeseries tab 124, an OpticalPerformance Monitor (OPM) Trace (OPM Trace) tab 126, a Flat vs Optimizedtab 128, a Powerhunt tab 130, a Near-to-Far tab 132, and a Far-to-Neartab 134. One of the Near-to-Far tab 132 and Far-to-Near tab 134 may beselected to define the direction where test signals are directed andalso defines which node is used to perform the test. In this case, theNear-to-Far tab 132 has been selected. Also, in the screen shot of FIG.7 , the Flat vs Optimized tab 128 has been selected to show a Flat ESNRvs Frequency graph 136 for showing the results of test signals in thenear-to-far direction and a Flat Tx Power vs Frequency graph 138 foralso showing the results of test signals in the near-to-far direction.

General State Machine

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state machine 140 of an active device(e.g., near-end node) for performing actions to provision opticalchannels in a P2P system with an unknown optical link system. A firststate of the state machine 140 includes “0. Settings,” which includes astate where a user can enter various Initialization, Characterization,and Optimization settings for defining how the provisioning orcommissioning procedures may be performed. A next state “1.Initialization” includes an initial provisioning of channels with ASEchannel holders according to channel characteristics of the opticalspectrum. For example, the characteristics used for Initialization mayinclude a line TOP, a channel frequency, a blue edge communicationsboundary, a channel count, and a selected initial line (Baud) rate.

The state machine 140 also includes a “2. Standard Provision andCharacterization” state using standard provisioning techniques or analternative “Pre-Optimization Characterization” state where data isinjected. The characterization states enable measurements (e.g.,measurements of ESNR, Tx Power, etc.), which may be performed over thefrequencies of the entire spectrum. The state machine 140 advances tothe “3. Optimization” state, where the system is configured to utilizethe measurements (characterizations) to determine an optimizedarrangement or commissioning for the previously-unassigned channels ofthe optical spectrum.

The next state of the state machine 140 include “4. Plan” where a planfor optimizing the channel provisioning is determined. Then, the stateof “5. Optimal Provision” is reached, where the system is configured toimplement the plan to obtain the optimized provision. The state machine140 may also include an optional state of “6. Verification.”Verification may include verifying that the optimized plan isimplemented and is still the optimal plan. In some cases, theverification may reveal that changes to the network result in adifferent optimization plan, which may require a re-characterization andre-optimization of the provisioning plan. At various points in the statemachine 140, the user may select a “reset” command 122 (FIG. 7 ) toreset the provisioning process. Upon resetting, the state machine 140moves the system to the Initialization state to restart the procedure.

Un-Provisioned Channels

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph 150 showingunassigned channels to be provisioned (or commissioned) in an unknownoptical link system. In some embodiments, the unknown optical linksystem may be configured to transport optical signals that fall within aspectrum ranging from a “floor frequency” of 191.325 THz to a “ceilingfrequency” of 196.125 THz, for example in the C-band. The floorfrequency may be referred to as a “red edge” and the ceiling frequencymay be referred to as a “blue edge.” Note, the terms “red” and “blue”are used to denote relative locations in the optical spectrum. In aC-band spectrum system in which optical signals may be handled, thefrequency range from the blue edge to the red edge may theoreticallycorrespond to signals having wavelengths ranging from about 1530 nm to1565 nm. Portions of the spectrum may include channels indexed withindicator numbers. In the example of FIG. 9 , the graphs shows indicatornumbers ranging from 1 to N+1, where portions 2 through N+1 areconfigurable channels and the portion 150 labelled “1” is a blue edgecommunication channel initialized according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure. A provisioning order 154 is shown in thisexample from the blue edge (lower wavelength signals) toward the rededge (higher wavelength signals) shown from left to right on the page.

User-Defined Settings for Provisioning Channels

FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a UI 160 showing configurable settings forperforming a spectrum sweep of the unassigned channels in the unknownoptical link system. The “spectrum sweep settings” window 162 may beconfigured to pop up when the “0. Settings” command 122 is selected. Inthis example, the window 162 shows a “Credentials” section that allow auser to enter information identifying one or both of the near-end nodeand far-end node. An “Initialization Settings” section of the window 162allows a user to enter Initialization information about the line top,blue communication boundary information, channel count, and initial linerate. A “Characterization Settings” section of the window 162 allows auser to enter Characterization information regarding how the spectrum ischaracterized. For example, measurements (i.e., characterization) of thechannels may include implementing a sequence of ESNR readings, one at atime, where each reading includes determining ESNR at one or morechannels in a group. A skip factor of the Characterization Settingsindicates a number of channels that are skipped between each ESNRreading, which may be utilized to speed up the provisioning process.

Based on Characterization processes (e.g., “2. Standard Provision andCharacterization” and “Pre-optimization Characterization (datainjection)” of the state machine 140, etc.) described in the presentdisclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure may includeprovision and/or re-provisioning standard Channel Controller (CHC)and/or Network Media Channel Controller (NMCC) plans. Characterizationmay include flat measurements and/or “powerhunt” (e.g., power detection)measurement of transmitter power or launch power. Also, provisioning mayinclude assigning or commissioning an optimized CHC/NMCC plan.Verification may include re-provisioning the optimized CHC/NMCC plan, asneeded. The verification may include flat measurements (e.g., withpatched Transmitter Adjacency (ADJTX) optimal power, etc.).

Provisioning may be comparable to re-provisioning. For example,provisioning may take a longer amount of time, whereas re-provisioningmay take a shorter amount of time. The provisioning time may be a factorof the number of ASE channels, whereas the re-provisioning time may be afactor of the number of modems. Provisioning may include fullyreconfiguring the spectrum after the blue edge communications channel(e.g., standard provision and optimal provision), whereasre-provisioning may include restoring holes left by channel/SNCG removal(e.g., after flat/powerhunt characterization). Provisioning may includeswitching from one line (Baud) rate and another (e.g., 35 GBaud grid to56 GBaud grids, 56 GBaud grid to 35 GBaud grids, 56 GBaud initial gridto optimized 35 GBaud/56 GBaud grid). In re-provisioning, the processmay include restoring the original 35 GBaud grid, restoring the original35/56 GBaud grid, and/or restoring the original 56 GBaud grid.

Three-Modem Example

FIGS. 11A-11E are graphs 170 (i.e., graphs 170A, 170B, 170C, 170D, 170E)showing a plurality (N) of unassigned channels 172 in an unknown opticallink system and a Characterization process of measuring EffectiveSignal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) of the unassigned channels 172 utilizingthree modems in each SNCG (e.g., SNCG 102, 106 shown in FIG. 6 ) using aprovisioning order 174 from a blue edge to a red edge.

Each SNCG in this case is able to read the ESNR for the Sub-NetworkChannels (SNCs) for each channel in the SNCG except the outer channelsin the group. However, for the first and last SNCGs, the channel at theedge of channels 172 may also be characterized in that respective SNCG.For example, FIG. 11A shows a first SNCG 176. Since the SNCG 176 includethree modems in this example, three channels (e.g., the channelslabelled 2, 3, and 4) can be characterized. However, channel 4 cannot bemeasured at this point since it is on the end of the SNCG 176. Thus, itis possible at this point to read ESNR of channels 2 and 3. It should benoted that the SNCGs are configured to overlap to some degree to accountfor the unavailability of the end channels for reading.

In FIG. 11B, a second SNCG 180 is shown including SNCs (e.g., channelslabelled 3, 4, and 5). Only SNC 4 can be measured at this point, wherethe ESNR is read 182. FIG. 11C shows a third SNCG 184 and a third ESNRread 186. This process is repeated across the entire sweep of thespectrum until the last group (e.g., SNCG 188) is set for reading ESNR190 of the last two channels (e.g., N and N+1).

The ESNR reads are shown together in FIG. 11E from the first read to the(N−2)th read. FIG. 11E shows a full Characterization. In one example,there may be 72 channels. Thus, with three modems, there are 72−one rededge−one blue edge=70 reads (measurements). Also, with 70 reads, thenumber of SNCGs can be calculated by 70 reads/(3 modems−one blueinterference−one read interference)=70/1=70 SNCGs.

FIG. 12 is a graph 200 showing the plurality of unassigned channels anda process of measuring ESNR utilizing three modems in each SNCG. In thisexample, the process includes a technique of skipping channels. Forexample, if the user selects a “skip factor” of 1 (e.g., as shown in theCharacterization Settings portion of the spectrum sweep settings window162 of FIG. 10 ), the ESNR reading process include reading one set ofchannels, skipping the next channel, reading the next set of channels,skipping the next channel, and so on.

Therefore, by skipping one channel in between reads, the first read 202includes reading the ESNR of each of channels 2 and 3, the second read204 includes reading the ESNR of channel 5 (i.e., channel 4 is skipped),. . . , the (N/2−1)th read includes reading the ESNR of channel N−1, andthe (N/2)th (or last) read includes reading the ESNR of channel N+1(i.e., channel N is skipped). First, with 72 channels, the number ofiterations of channel reads can be calculated by 72 channels−one rededge−one blue edge=70 reads (measurements). Also, with the skip numberset at one, the number of read is divided by (1+skip number), where70/2=35 reads (measurements). With three modems in this example, thenumber of SNCGs can be calculated as 35 reads/(3 modems−1 blueinterference−1 red interference)=35/1=35 SNCGs.

Four-Modem Example

FIGS. 13A-13D are graphs 210 (i.e., 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D) showing theplurality of unassigned channels and a process of measuring ESNRutilizing four modems in each SNCG. With four modems in each SNCG, afirst SNCG 212 (FIG. 13A) is configured to read ESNR for channels 2, 3,and 4, where all but the last channel (e.g., SNC 5) is read. Again, theSNCGs may overlap as needed to account for the end SNCs that cannot beread. Thus, the second SNCG 216 (e.g., including SNCs 4, 5, 6, and 7)are configured as shown in FIG. 13B to enable the reading of ESNR 218 ofSNCs 5 and 6. Again, this sequence is repeated until a last SNCG 220 isconfigured (FIG. 13C) for reading ESNR 222-0 of SNCs N−1, N, and N+1.

FIG. 13D shows all the SNCGs and the channels that are read for eachrespective SNCG. With 4 modems and 72 channels, the number of reads canbe calculated as 72 channels−one red edge−one blue edge=70 reads(measurements). The number of SNCGs can be calculated as 70 reads/(4modems−1 blue interference−1 red interference)=70/2=35 SNCGs.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are graphs 224, 226, respectively showing unassignedchannels at an end (red edge) of the spectrum being provisioned wherethe ESNR measurements of the last provisioning SNCGs are reduced. Forexample, it may be noted that the last SNCG may not necessarily end witha complete reading and therefore the overlapping pattern at the end ofthe sequence may be changed slightly to accommodate remnant channels forreading in order that all the channels can be read as intended.

Thus, there may be some red edge complexity in this scenario. Also,according to other embodiments, the complexity may also rise for othervarious scenarios. For example, if there are even more modems, plus anyinterplay with the skip factor, the complexity may rise. In someembodiments, there may be a mandatory red edge coverage for betterinterpolation stability and accuracy.

FIG. 15 is a graph 230 showing an example of unassigned channels beingprovisioned and a process of measuring ESNR utilizing four modems ineach SNCG and using both a blue-to-red provisioning order 232 and ared-to-blue provisioning order 234. In this arrangement, the process mayinclude simultaneous ESNR readings, where a first group of readingsstart at the blue edge to begin a B-to-R directional sweep in theprovision order 232 and a second group of readings start (substantiallysimultaneously) at the red edge to begin a R-to-B directional sweep inthe provision order 234. In this example, 18 channels are shown for thesake of simplicity. Simultaneous readings can be made available with theintroduction of multiple MUX/DEMUX devices (e.g., MUX/DEMUX devices 112,114 shown in respective nodes 104, 108 in FIG. 6 ).

The B-to-R sweep includes a first SNCG 236, a second SNCG 238, a thirdSONG 240, and a fourth SONG 242. The R-to-B sweep includes a first SNCG244, a second SNCG 246, a third SNCG 248, and a fourth SNCG 250. It maybe noted that the fourth SNCGs 242, 250 of the two sweeps includes acommon reading channel (e.g., channel 10). Thus, in this case, either orboth of the sweeps may be configured to read the ESNR for this channel.

FIG. 16 is a graph 260 showing unassigned channels being provisioned anda process of measuring ESNR utilizing four modems in each SNCG and usingmultiple provisioning starting points. A first provisioning order 262may include a first starting point (e.g., at the blue edge) and proceedin a B-to-R direction. A second provisioning order 264 may include asecond starting point 266 and proceed in the B-to-R direction. A thirdprovisioning order 268 may include a third starting point 270 andproceed in the B-to-R direction. According to other embodiments, thesystems and methods of the present disclosure may be configured toinclude any number of simultaneous provisioning sweeps starting at anychannels and proceeding, where each sweep may be directed in onedirection (e.g., B-to-R, R-to-B) or where some sweeps proceed in theB-to-R direction while others proceed in the R-to-B direction. Themultiple provisioning starting points can be available with multipleMUX/DEMUXes in each end node. The MUX/DEMUXes may enable intermediatestarts for this multi-portion approach.

FIG. 17A is a table 280 illustrating the responsibilities of each shelfof a multi-shelf instantiation for commissioning unassigned channels ofan unknown optical link system, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 17B is a table 290 illustrating theresponsibilities of a shelf of a single-shelf instantiation forcommissioning unassigned channels, according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Functions of Initialization, Characterization, Optimization, andVerification

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment ofvarious functions of a characterization module 300 for commissioningunassigned channels. The characterization module 300 may be configuredto characterize the optical spectrum. A Mixin process may include acycle or loop that iterates through the channel plan. The Mixin processmay include measurements, where the actual function may containprovision, measurement, powerhunt (e.g., power detection), etc.

The optimization module 310 may include JSON or dynamically generateddata. A Network Media Channel Controller (NMCC) may be utilized tomeasure center frequency of the channels, a spectral width, controltarget power, etc. A Channel Controller (CHC) may be utilized to measurechannel information, a maximum frequency, a minimum frequency, and achannel mode.

A “powerhunt” (or power detection) process may include detection of SNRBias to find ADJTX for the modem. The process may patch an ADJTX biasVALUE to an OFFSET value (e.g., −4). The setting offset may be “ONLY”and not setting to the final target value. A target loss detection mayinclude getting NMCC flat target loss parameters, whereTarget_Loss=Flat_Target_Loss+delta and set the Target_Loss to the NMCC.

Modems may be chosen based on Flat detection and/or Powerhunt detection.For running a single measurement, range probe modems may be chosen fromprovision parameters obtained, such as 0, 1, 2: 01, 1, 12. This may bebased on the modems being sorted accordingly. SNCs 0-3 may includechannels 1, 2, and 3, with ADJTX and modems.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment offunctions of an optimization module 310 for commissioning unassignedchannels. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram illustrating functionsof a post-characterization module 320 for commissioning unassignedchannels. A backend performance streaming related to thepost-characterization module 320 of FIG. 20 may include streaming OPMdata every 10 seconds and checking if the streaming performance needs tobe started. If not, the OPM data may be stored in local storage (e.g.,database 70).

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment offunctions of a process 330 for retrieving network management data forcommissioning unassigned channels. A powerhunt process may bebi-directional. For retrieving network management data, Optimizationsteps and Plan steps may be executed. For Optimization, an Optimizationnetwork management node with Tx power detection. The Tx power can betranslated to an Optimization NMCC configuration. Also, a control targetpower may be set at this point. A channel count specification of afrontend (e.g., frontend 352) may be set such that the channel count isgreater than the number of sessions. The process 330 may includecomputing a per channel power (dB) amount for the sessions. The networkmanagement data storage may be configured for bi-directional detection.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment offunctions of processes 340 for characterizing a class and forclassifying spectrum sweep configurations. The processes 340 may includea docker compose process, which may include a variable pass through toobtain a docker file.

Frontend (Near-End) and Backend (Far-End)

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network 350 thatincludes interactions (from button to session variable) between afrontend 352 and a backend 354 for commissioning unassigned channels.The frontend 352 may be a near-end node, near-end network element,domestic node, etc. for initiating a process for provisioning channelsof an unknown fiber system connecting the frontend 352 with the backend354. In this embodiment, the backend 354 may be a far-end node, far-endnetwork element, foreign node, etc.

Buttons of the frontend 352 may be configured to enable requirements forprovisioning. Settings may always be enabled. Initialization may alwaysbe enabled. Characterize may require an Initialization flag and may nothave existing characterize data. Optimize may require an Initializationflag, may not have existing optimize data, and may have existingcharacterize data. Plan may require an Initialization flag, wherenetwork management optimization is to be set. This will overwrite theserver side configuration Optimize Characterize NMCC data, etc.

For Provision and Verify, an Initialization flag may be required, mayinclude a Plan step, may include a config opt CHC list, may include aconfig opt NMCC list, may include a configuration Optimize config,config opt base power int, config opt trans mode list. For Provisiononly, an Initialization flag may be required, may include a Plan step,may include config opt CHC, may include config opt NMCC, config optconfig, config opt base power, and config opt trans mode.

The frontend 352 may include other buttons to enable variousrequirements. A Reset may include no requirements. If detection is inone direction, the data is stored in memory. The frontend data structuremay include a timestamp, ESNR values, Tx power, Rx power, etc.

The backend 354 may include Input/Output steps. The backend 354 mayinclude Initialization based on setup connections and outputs of config(e.g., Spectrum_Sweep_Config), config of flat CHC, config of flat NMCC,and frontend capacity. A Characterize process may include outputs offrontend network management flat data, frontend visual graph data, etc.An Optimize process may include inputs of network management flat data,outputs of frontend network management optimization data, and frontendvisual graphs, etc., and an Update step.

A Plan process of the backend 354 may include input of networkmanagement optimize data, and outputs of config optimize CHC, configoptimize NMCC, line rates, and frontend capacities. A Verify process ofthe backend 354 may include input of config optimize CHC and configoptimize NMCC and output of frontend network management post optimizedata. A Provision process may include actually send the CHC and NMCCdata to a Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) to reset the node. Also, thebackend 354 may include an API, such as a Socket I/O drive, withprocesses to Initialize, Characterize, Optimize, Plan, Provision, and(optional) Verify.

FIG. 24 is a chart 360 (e.g., prototype development chart) showing anexample of results of ESNR measurements of a Characterization process.The ESNR measurements may be a function of Transmitter (Tx) power andfrequency and may be utilized for Optimization purposes according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

Line Rates

FIG. 25 is a graph 370 showing ESNR measurements utilizing possible linerates. For each line rate, a wave detection device is used to determinean ESNR cutoff (i.e., the first line of the pair) and a cutoff+a marginof 0.5 is shown as the second line of the pair. The line rates are thoserates that are applicable for optimization. The line rate 372 of 56GBaud 250G may be referred to as a “probing line rate.” The line rate374 of 35 GBaud 200G may be referred to as a “base line rate.” Also, theline rate 376 of 56 GBaud 400G may be referred to as an “upshift linerate.” For example, the probing line rate, base line rate, and upshiftline rate may be selected by the user from the spectrum sweep settingswindow 162 shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a graph where unassigned channels areto be assigned using a 35 GBaud line rate for the full spectrum and aflat ESNR reading. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a graph whereunassigned channels are to be assigned using a 56 GBaud line rate for amiddle portion of the spectrum and a flat ESNR reading.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a process 380 for utilizing the graph370 of FIG. 25 showing ESNR and possible line rates to automaticallyoptimize a line rate using a full spectrum technique, according to oneembodiment. In this example, the process 380 includes 1) setting a firstline rate and measuring midband ESNR, 2) setting a second line rate andmeasuring midband ESNR, and 3) determining if the delta in the ESNRmeasurements is greater than 0.5, and if so, checking a next line rate.The process 380 also include step 4) for setting another line rate andmeasuring midband ESNR and step 5) for determining if ESNR delta isgreater than 0.5, and if so, check the next line rate. The process 380then includes 6) setting a line rate and measuring midband ESNR and then7) checking the next line rate if the ESNR delta is greater than 0.5.

The process 380 further includes 8) setting the line rate again andmeasuring midband ESNR and 9) checking the ESNR delta. In this case, itis determined that the ESNR delta is not greater than 0.5, so theprocess 380 includes setting the probing rate based on the ESNR.Additional steps (not numbered in the figure) are then performed. Step10) includes conducing flat/powerhunt measurements and ensuring that allESNRs are valid. Step 11) includes checking against safe margin to setline rate (e.g., 56 GBaud 200G). Step 12a) includes determining if allare valid. If so, this is set as the base line rate (e.g., 56 GBaud200G). Otherwise, in step 12b), if not all are valid, then the lowerline rate is probed, and the lower is set as the base line rate (e.g.,35 GBaud 100G). The process 380 includes looping back and repeating fromstep 11) as needed. Step 13) include a next tier consideration fordetecting an upshift line rate (e.g., 35 GBaud 150G). The process 380may be considered to be a full process.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating another process 390 for utilizing thegraph 370 of FIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using a litetechnique. The process 390 includes step 1) of setting the line rate andmeasuring the midband ESNR and step 2) of setting a probing rate basedon ESNR−2 (e.g., 10.3−2.0=8.3). Step 3) includes setting a base ratebased on ESNR vs margin. Step 4) include setting an unshift rate for theone above (next set). This process 390 may be referred to as a “lite”process.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a process 400 for utilizing the graph370 of FIG. 25 to automatically optimize a line rate using anintermediate technique. The process 400 includes 1) setting a line rateand measuring midband ESNR and then 2) setting a probing rate based onESNR−3 (e.g., 12.1−3.0=9.1). The process 400 then includes 3) settingthe line rate and measuring midband ESNR again. Then, step 4a) includes,if it is the same or similar (within 0.5), the process 400 sets theprobe line rate as 56 GBaud 100G. If it is different, step 4b) includeusing the new one as the probe line rate.

In some embodiments, the process 400 may include steps (not shown in thefigure), where step 5a) includes setting the base rate based on ESNR vsmargin and step 6a) include setting an upshift rate one above (next tothe right). Alternatively, the process 400 may include steps 5b) ofsetting the base rate based on ESNR vs. margin and 6b) of setting theupshift rate one above.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a process 410, according to anotherimplementation, for utilizing the graph 370 of FIG. 25 to automaticallyoptimize a line rate using a final technique. In this embodiment, theprocess 410 includes 1) setting the line rate 56 GBaud 200G andmeasuring midband ESNR. In step 2a), if the ESNR is above 10, then 35GBaud 150G is used to probe. In step 2b), if ESNR is between 7 and 10(i.e., 7<ESNR<10), then 56 GBaud 200G is used to probe. In step 2c), ifESNR is lower than 7, then 35 GBaud 100G is used to probe.

After setting the rate based on one of steps 2a, 2b, or 2c, the process410 at this point includes step 3) of setting the base rate based on allthe ESNR measure. It may be necessary to satisfy baseline requirements(e.g., margin of 0.5). In step 4), the process 410 includes setting anupshift rate for one above the base line rate.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a chart of ESNR measurements acrosspossible line rates. According to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, processes may include setting a flat ESNR level at aspecific level (e.g., 11.4) for calculating possible line rates.

Therefore, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,systems, methods, computer logic instructions stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable media, near-end network elements (nodes), far-endnetwork elements (nodes), etc. are described for enabling theprovisioning/assigning of optical channels in previouslyun-provisioned/unassigned/un-commissioned optical fiber communicationlinks in an optical system or network. Upon assigning the channels, theend nodes and optical network (or sub-network) can hence be commissionedfor normal operation of transporting optical signals across parts or allof an optical spectrum according to the provisioning of the channels.

In some embodiments, a near-end network element may include a pluralityof modems arranged within a Sub-Network Connection Group (SNCG). Theplurality of modems may be configured to communicate optical signalswithin an optical spectrum across an unknown optical link system to becommissioned, the plurality of modems being configured to transmit theoptical signals to an unknown far-end network element. Processes mayinclude utilizing the plurality of modems to measure optical performanceparameters of a plurality of optical channels of the optical spectrum,where each optical channel is previously unassigned in the unknownoptical link system. The processes may also include provisioning theplurality of optical channels based on the measured optical performanceparameters to enable data communication between the near-end networkelement and the far-end network element. It should be noted that, beforecommissioning, the unknown optical link system does not allow datacommunication between the near-end network element and the far-endnetwork element.

In some embodiments, the systems, methods, etc. of the presentdisclosure may be further defined, whereby processes can includemeasuring the optical performance parameters by measuring EffectiveSignal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) parameters versus frequency. The ESNRparameters may be measured when the optical signals are transmitted fromthe near-end network element to the far-end network element. The ESNRparameters may be measured in a spectrum sweep characterizationoperation where ESNR is measured for each of a plurality of groups ofoptical channels in a sequential frequency-dependent manner. The numberof optical channels in each group is based on the number of modems ineach SNCG.

A near-end network element configured to perform these processes at oneend of the unknown transmission system may further include a UserInterface (UI) configured to enable a user to enter characterizationsettings. For example, the ESNR may be measured for each group based onthe characterization settings. The characterization settings may includeone or more of a skip factor for defining a number of optical channelsto skip, a reading number defining the number of simultaneous ESNRreadings with respect to the frequencies in the optical spectrum, aprovisioning order for defining a direction with respect to frequenciesof the optical spectrum that each simultaneous ESNR reading proceeds,and a starting position defining a position within the optical spectrumwhere each of the number of simultaneous ESNR reading starts.

The near-end network element of claim 1, wherein the optical performanceparameters are coherent optical performance parameters including one ormore of a measurement of Transmitter (Tx) power versus frequency and ameasurement of flat launch power. The near-end network element of claim1, further comprising a User Interface (UI) configured to enable a userto enter initialization settings, wherein the initialization settingsinclude one or more of a communication boundary at an edge of theoptical spectrum, a channel count, an initial line rate or Baud rate, aprobe line rate, a base line rate, and an upshift line rate, and whereinthe UI is implemented within one or more of a Layer 0 Control Plane(LOOP), a server, a Network Management System (NMS), a Domain OpticalController (DOC), a node management system, a software-defined networkcontroller, and a network orchestrator. The near-end network element ofclaim 1, wherein the unknown optical link system includes one or moreintermediate optical devices or branching units.

The near-end network element of claim 1, wherein the instructionsfurther enable the processing device to perform an optimization processof changing an initial line rate based on a difference between theoptical performance parameters measured at different line rates. Thenear-end network element of claim 11, wherein the optimization processis based on an Effective Signal-to-Noise Ratio (ESNR) threshold set by auser. The near-end network element of claim 1, wherein the unknownoptical link system is one of a submarine fiber system and a foreignline system configured in a point-to-point network before OpticalService Channels (OSCs) are assigned for data communication between thenear-end network element and the far-end network element and beforeconfiguration information and spectrum usage information is coordinatedbetween the near-end network element and the far-end network element,and wherein the near-end network element and far-end network elementinclude Submarine Line Termination Equipment (SLTE).

The near-end network element of claim 1, wherein each of the pluralityof modems is initially configured with a default provisioning state andthe optical spectrum is initially pre-loaded with Amplified SpontaneousEmission (ASE) channel holders. The near-end network element of claim 1,wherein, in response to provisioning the plurality of optical channels,the instructions further enable the processing device to commission thenear-end network element and far-end network element. The near-endnetwork element of claim 1, wherein the instructions further enable theprocessing device to utilize the optical performance parameters toexecute one or more actions including populating one or moreprovisioning templates, creating a photonic topology, formulatingtopology parameters, configuring a control plane system in the unknownoptical link system, building a channel profile, performing a channelplanning procedure to maximize system capacity, defining optimizationcriteria, re-optimizing a channel plan after a cable fault or repair,and performing spectral filtering, dead-band conditioning, andguard-band conditioning.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing ideally provisioned in a situation where there is consistency inboth the near-to-far direction and the far-to-near direction. Therefore,there is the same provisioning in both directions, which would be anideal situation. However, provisioning in the near-to-far direction maybe different from the provisioning in the far-to-near direction, asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 34 .

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing provisioned in a situation where there is inconsistency in thenear-to-far direction and far-to-near direction. In some respect, thesituation shown in FIG. 34 may be a worst case scenario. For example,the channels 2 and 3 may be swapped in a reverse direction. Also,channels 6 and 7 may be swapped and channels n−3 and n−2 may be swapped.Certain actions may be taken to minimize the effects of theseinconsistencies. For example, the total capacity may be reduced, theminimum ESNR may be detected, both may be nulled, and/or the margin maybe increased for re-optimization.

If the same capacities are detected in both directions, it may bepossible to use the direction with a smaller average Tx power. If thecapacities are different in the two directions, it may be possible touse the direction with less capacity. In some embodiment, it may beideal to perform iterative processes as needed to make a sufficientprovision decision.

Verification

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a graph of channels and line ratesbeing provisioned and an embodiment of a verification process 420 ofmeasuring ESNR of the channels utilizing three modems in each SNCG in aprovisioning order from the blue edge to the red edge. In thisembodiment, the re-characterization process 420 may include performingN−2 reads where a first read includes channels 2 and 3, the second readincludes channel 4, the third read includes channel 5, . . . , and thelast read (i.e., read #N−2) includes the channels n−1 and n. Accordingto one example, there are 106 channels. Thus, the number of channels(e.g., 106) minus the read edge and minus the blue edge equals thenumber of reads (e.g., 106−1−1=104 reads) or measurements of ESNR. With3 modems, the number of SNCGs is equal to the number of read divided by(the number of modems−1 blue interference−1 red interference). In thiscase, the number of SNCGs is 104/(3−1−1)=104/1=104 SNCGs.

ESNR and Power Graphs in User Interface

FIG. 36 is a screen shot of a UI 430 showing a first powerhunt graph 432and a second powerhunt graph 434. The graphs 432, 434 are shown when thepowerhunt tab 130 is selected by a user. The first powerhunt graph 432shows detection processes for measuring ESNR vs frequency and the secondpowerhunt graph 434 shown detection processes for measuring Tx power vsfrequency.

FIG. 37 is a screen shot of a UI 440 showing graphs of detectionprocesses when the flat vs optimized tab 128 is selected. The UI 440 mayshow a first graph 442 and a second graph 444, according to theillustrated embodiment. The first graph 442 shows power detectionresults in which measurements of ESNR vs frequency in a flat domain areshown. The second graph 44 shows power detection results in whichmeasurements of Tx power vs frequency in the flat domain are shown.

FIG. 38 is a screen shot of a UI 450 showing graphs of an ESNRtime-series and a Tx power time-series when the time-series tab 124 isselected by a user. The UI 450 in this embodiment shows a first graph452 of ESNR time-series data obtained over time and a second graph 454of Tx Power time-series data obtained over time.

FIG. 39 is a screen shot of a UI 460 showing graphs of OptimalPerformance Monitors (OPMs) when the OPM trace tab 126. In thisembodiment, the UI 460 includes the results of detecting traces at aTransmitter (Tx) for showing power vs frequency in a first graph 462 anddetecting traces at a Receiver (Rx) for showing power vs frequency in asecond graph 464.

Results and Benefits

FIGS. 40A-40C are diagrams illustrating pie charts that show differentruntime distributions based on an amount of verification performed inprocesses for provisioning or commissioning unassigned channels. Ofcourse, one or ordinary skill in the art will understand that theembodiments of the present disclosure exhibit a great improvement in theprovisioning time. For instance, where conventional techniques maytypically require several days or weeks for completion, the systems andmethods of the present disclosure are configured to perform automaticprovisioning techniques that can be completed in under 24 hours,regardless of the particular process used. With no verification (FIG.40A), the present provisioning processes can be completed in about 5hours. With 50% verification, the present provisioning processes can becompleted in about 10.5 hours. Even with full 100% verification, thepresent provisioning processes can be completed in about 16.5 hours.

Furthermore, the provisioning times of the present disclosure may befurther reduced based on other certain techniques described herein. Forexample, by adding addition modems for measuring ESNR, it is possible toreduce the amount of time needed to perform the provisioning processes.With three modems as a baseline, by adding one more modem (i.e., fourmodems total), the processing time can be reduced by about 50%. With twoadditional modems (i.e., five modems total), the processing time can bereduced by about 66.6%. With three additional, the time can be reducedby about 75%, and so on.

FIG. 41A is a diagram illustrating a graph showing a number of SNCGsneeded for different numbers of modems utilized in each SNCG. FIG. 41Bis a diagram illustrating a graph showing total run times based on thenumber of modems utilized in each SNCG. This is based on an example of72 channels at about 56 Gbaud. Of course, the modem capabilities affectthe number of SNCGs.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be configured toinclude certain novel features with respect to conventional systems. Forexample, the present embodiments may use new or existing modemtechnologies to automatically build an end-to-end spectral performanceprofile. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods may alsoinclude considerations for dead-bands, guard-bands, pass-bands, andspectral filtering of the optical spectrum. The performance profile maybe translated into a configuration that meets the network's requirements(e.g., margin, lifetime, capacity, etc.). These can include any numberof optimization techniques or formulations that determine the frequencyand transmission mode mappings across the band.

Additionally, other novel features with respect to conventional systemsmay include using formulated mappings in commissioning the networkelements (NEs), whether through internal or external controllers (e.g.,ZIP, etc.) or direct LOOP provisioning. Also, the present embodimentsmay include rapid turn-up and deployment operations allowing hands-offprovisioning in networks without a service channel or external DON. Thepresent systems and methods can pre-populate topology/cross-connects forchannel upgrades such that new circuit packs inherit settings instantlywithout requiring human intervention. Also, it is possible with thepresent embodiments to easily perform provisioning techniques on actualcustomer terminals and modems for characterization. In this way, it ispossible to validate all of the working parts from LOOP down to NEcontrol at an early stage.

To reiterate some of the benefits of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, it may be possible to quickly and effectively commissionpoint-to-point systems as well as mesh and other types of systems, whichcan be a major service bottleneck in conventional system that requiremanually-intensive and time-consuming laborious tasks. The presentdisclosure dramatically reduced the operational expenditures, time toservice, human error, and thus technical support tickets. If integratedcorrectly, the systems and methods described in the present disclosurecould reduce or potentially eliminate site visits given the remotecapabilities, which could result in great savings in operatingexpenditures.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and describedherein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examplesthereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functionsand/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments andexamples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, arecontemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the followingclaims. Moreover, it is noted that the various elements described hereincan be used in any and all combinations with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or moreprocessors to perform steps of: receiving measured optical performanceparameters of a plurality of optical channels transmitted over anoptical spectrum between two network elements in an optical line system;determining a performance profile of the optical spectrum based on themeasured optical performance parameters; translating the performanceprofile into configuration information for the two network elements; andcausing provisioning of the two network elements based on theconfiguration information.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the measured optical performance parametersare for one or more unassigned optical channels on the optical spectrum,with the measured optical performance parameters being made on one ormore optical modems.
 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 2, wherein the one or more optical modems are configured to sendtest signals for the measured optical performance parameters and tosweep across all of the optical spectrum.
 4. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the one or more opticalmodems are configured to send test signals for the measured opticalperformance parameters at a plurality of baud rates at differentlocations of the optical spectrum.
 5. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the performance profileincludes one or more of deadbands, guardbands, passbands, and filtering,all for the optical spectrum.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the translating includes adapting theperformance profile into the configuration information based on one ormore of margin, operational lifetime, and capacity, all of the opticalline system.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the configuration information is based on available degrees offreedom in modems at the two network elements, wherein the availabledegrees of freedom include one or more of baud rates, power, lineoptimization modes, and dispersion settings.
 8. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the performance profile isbased on one of capacity over the optical spectrum and cost of the twonetwork elements.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 1, wherein the provisioning is performed as Zero TouchProvisioning to the two network elements.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the configurationinformation include pre-populated settings for the two network elementssuch that new circuit packs added thereto are configured withoutrequiring human intervention.
 11. A method comprising steps of:receiving measured optical performance parameters of a plurality ofoptical channels transmitted over an optical spectrum between twonetwork elements in an optical line system; determining a performanceprofile of the optical spectrum based on the measured opticalperformance parameters; translating the performance profile intoconfiguration information for the two network elements; and causingprovisioning of the two network elements based on the configurationinformation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the measured opticalperformance parameters are for one or more unassigned optical channelson the optical spectrum, with the measured optical performanceparameters being made on one or more optical modems.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the one or more optical modems are configured to sendtest signals for the measured optical performance parameters and tosweep across all of the optical spectrum.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein the one or more optical modems are configured to send testsignals for the measured optical performance parameters at a pluralityof baud rates at different locations of the optical spectrum.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the performance profile includes one or moreof deadbands, guardbands, passbands, and filtering, all for the opticalspectrum.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the translating includesadapting the performance profile into the configuration informationbased on one or more of margin, operational lifetime, and capacity, allof the optical line system.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein theconfiguration information is based on available degrees of freedom inmodems at the two network elements, wherein the available degrees offreedom include one or more of baud rates, power, line optimizationmodes, and dispersion settings.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein theperformance profile is based on one of capacity over the opticalspectrum and cost of the two network elements.
 19. The method of claim11, wherein the provisioning is performed as Zero Touch Provisioning tothe two network elements.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein theconfiguration information include pre-populated settings for the twonetwork elements such that new circuit packs added thereto areconfigured without requiring human intervention.